Windy weather means tough driving conditions

Posted:
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 11:10 PM EDT

DUBUQUE (KWWL) -- Spring is now here. The days just keep getting warmer, but if you spent anytime outside Tuesday you probably noticed the wind.

They say looks can be deceiving, and that could be more the case on a sunny spring day in March. Until you step outside and feel the wind for a bit. It turns out this wind can actually be a hazard to drivers.

The sights and sounds at a gas station along Highway 20 tell more than your average commute. That's because on this sunny evening in March these cars and trucks are dealing with windy conditions.

Kevin Reints has been traveling in it for several days. Across the Midwest in fact but he says these windy conditions are almost worse than winter weather. Not only is driving in wind difficult, but he says it's bad on his trucks fuel economy; sucking up 4 miles per gallon, in a 3000 gallon tank truck.

But what's more hazardous? He says drivers who pass him. Often speeding past, then getting hit head on with a gust of wind. He says sometimes it puts him and other cars in danger. Of course, for most drivers this weather is better than snow and ice. But truck drivers like Reints recommend you continue to drive with caution.